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An Act To Reduce the Trafficking of Illegal Drugs in the State
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  25 MRSA c. 201  is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 201
MAINE STATE POLICE DRUG INTERDICTION UNIT
§ 1751. Maine State Police Drug Interdiction Unit
 
1.  Maine State Police Drug Interdiction Unit.     The Maine State Police Drug Interdiction Unit, referred to in this chapter as "the drug interdiction unit," is established within the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police. The purpose of the drug interdiction unit is to conduct drug trafficking patrols on state roads and ways and at access points to the State to prevent the trafficking of illegal drugs in the State.
 
2.  Members of drug interdiction unit.     The drug interdiction unit must consist of at least 3 state police officers and a supervising state police officer, who must have attained at least the rank of sergeant in the State Police, all with training and experience in illegal drug interdiction techniques. The members of the drug interdiction unit must be appointed by the Chief of the State Police in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Safety.
 
3.  Report.     Beginning July 1, 2017, the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police shall annually report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over criminal justice matters regarding the implementation and effectiveness of programs and initiatives undertaken by the drug interdiction unit.
Sec. 2. Implementation of Maine State Police Drug Interdiction Unit; report. The Maine State Police Drug Interdiction Unit, established pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 25, section 1751, must be implemented by the Commissioner of Public Safety no later than August 1, 2016. The Chief of the State Police shall report to the Governor and the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety when the appointments to the drug interdiction unit have been completed.
 
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the Maine State Police Drug Interdiction Unit in the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police to conduct drug trafficking patrols on state roads and ways and at access points to the State to prevent the trafficking of illegal drugs in the State. The drug interdiction unit consists of at least 3 state police officers and a supervising state police officer, all of whom must have training and experience in illegal drug interdiction techniques.